Parades and Pasta During Mardi Gras in New Orleans

I visited New Orleans for a few days at the end of February 2020, landing right in the middle of the Mardi Gras celebrations. The night parades were the first thing I experienced. The streets were packed with people, all of us lined up behind barricades watching these huge, illuminated floats roll by. They were incredibly detailed, with themes ranging from nautical myths with mermaids to fantasy castles, all crewed by people in elaborate costumes.

The energy was high, with everyone in the crowd reaching for throws. The parades continued into the daytime, with a different but equally vibrant atmosphere under a cloudy sky. I saw a massive float dedicated to Jazz, a nod to the city's heritage, as it made its way through the downtown streets.

Away from the crowds, I found moments of quiet, like a simple dinner of pasta. The trip ended with a completely different perspective on the city. From a rooftop pool at dusk, I could see the skyline start to glow. It was a peaceful contrast to the celebratory chaos on the streets below, a calm moment to just watch the city lights come on.